There is absolutely no denying that web has become the battleground for some
of the coolest experiments that are taking place today in the world of
entertainment. But, it’s not that web is a haven only for the experimental
stuff, for it is also a great place for conventional genre exercises with some
interesting twists. While the content on television remains rather mundane with
cinema mostly continuing to be larger than life, it is web that has become the
hub of realistic content that closely captures the modern-day dynamics—especially
relationships, whether it’s platonic or romantic. In a nutshell, content on web
at large is not only refreshing but also relatable and perhaps that’s why more
and more people are looking at the web for their daily dose of entertainment. What's
heartening to see is that big players like Netflix and Amazon Prime are
gradually shifting their attention to India for sourcing and producing
indigenously produced content.

Speaking of Netflix, it is set to come out with its first original
Indian film titled ‘Love Per Square Foot’—a romantic comedy set in Mumbai that
will be available on the streaming platform globally starting February 14. Love
Per Square Foot is produced by Ronnie Screwvala under his banner RSVP
Productions. The film is directed by Anand Tiwari who is best known for his
acting work on stage as well as films. He also assisted Anurag Basu on Barfi! Love
Per Square Foot is co-written by Asif Ali Beg, Sumeet Vyas, and Tiwari himself.
The film stars Vicky Kaushal (known for his versatile work in films like Masaan, Raman Raghav 2.0, Zubaan) and
Angira Dhar (known for her work in YFilms’ miniseries Bang Baaja Baaraat) in the lead roles. Co-starring Ratna Pathak
Shah, Supriya Pathak, Alankrita Sahai, Raghubir Yadav, and Arunoday Singh, Love
Per Square Foot features a brief appearance from a leading Bollywood star (surprise,
surprise!).

Vicky Kaushal in Love Per Square Foot

Love Per Square Foot is an upbeat situational comedy about a guy and a
girl who both desperately want to own a flat of their own in Mumbai. But both
lack the means to do so. They meet at an office function and gradually become
friends. When they learn about a special housing scheme for couples they are
unable to resist the temptation of applying for it together. Will this
opportunistic relationship shape up into something meaningful? Or will it
remain just another partnership based on pure convenience?

Angira Dhar (left) in Love Per Square Foot

Love Per Square Foot is not the first film to deal with housing
challenges in a Metro city. Perhaps, the first film that comes to mind is the Amol
Palekar and Zarina Wahab starrer Gharonda (1977). Love Per Square Foot is also
not the first film to deal with couples who bond together not out of love but
for materialistic gains. But where Love Per Square Foot stands out is how it
treats its rather grim subject. Opportunism is not the most heartening thing to
see in a movie but then it is something we encounter amidst today’s cutthroat competition.
What works best for Love Per Square Foot is how it often presents its opportunistic
characters in a ridiculously humorous manner. And yet we can relate to the
characters as well as their dreams and aspirations.

A Still from Love Per Square Foot

Overall, Love Per Square Foot is an engaging rom-com that doesn’t eschew
from being edgy and daring in order to be true to its occasionally risqué content.
Had it been released theatrically it would have probably got an ‘A’ rating from
the CBFC but thankfully the web has no such restrictions, at least for now.
Vicky Kaushal, who is known for playing intense characters, is here seen in a completely
different avatar. While this may not feature amongst his best performances, he
certainly looks convincing. As for Angira Dhar, she looks quite settled in the
role of a strong-willed Christian girl who despite her easygoing nature is quite
capable of calling a spade a spade. The chemistry between the two leads is one
of the movie’s strong points. Lover Per Square Foot is far from being a perfect
rom-com but it dares to offer a refreshing take on modern-day relationships. Also,
it captures with considerable accuracy the aspirations of the urban Indian
youth. Lover Per Square Foot is a must watch for couples, and, releasing on the
occasion of Valentine’s Day, it would certainly keep them hooked.

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Murtaza Ali Khan is an independent film critic / journalist based out of New Delhi, India. He has been writing on cinema for over seven years. He runs the award-winning entertainment blog A Potpourri of Vestiges. He is also the Films Editor at the New York City-based publication Cafe Dissensus and regularly contributes to The Hindu and The Sunday Guardian. He was previously a columnist at Huff Post. He has also contributed to publications like DailyO, Newslaundry, The Quint, Dear Cinema, Desimartini and Jamuura Blog. He regularly appears as a guest panelist on the various television channels and is also associated with radio.